Celebrating Sr. Mary Eileen McCarthy's 75th Jubilee

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Convent, Sound Beach, NY

August 2, 2021

Sisters, staff, and friends enjoyed a special celebration to recognize Sr. Mary Eileen McCarthy's 75th Jubilee this past weekend. It began with a special Mass, with the Liturgy prepared by Sr. Patricia Pelletier, Sr. Marie Sopr, Sr. Mary Jane Cashin, and Sr. Edna English. Fr. Francis of Infant Jesus Parish, Port Jefferson, NY, was the celebrant, and Sr. Evelyn Eckhardt, DW, gave the Homily. In it, she shared,

"The gospel we have just heard was chosen for this Liturgy for a very special reason. In August 1946, Sr. Mary Eileen's family – her Mom and Dad, her twin brother, John, and her younger brother, James - made the long journey north to Ottawa, CA, to attend Mary Eileen's Profession as a Daughter of Wisdom.

During the ceremony, this gospel passage of the Transfiguration of Jesus was read – proclaiming how Jesus took Peter, James, and John up the mountain.  At that point, Mary Eileen's younger brother, James, promptly exclaimed to his parents: "They are talking about us!"

And indeed, that is exactly what the Scripture does:  it talks about us and how our Gracious God relates to us.

In the reading from Proverbs, we recall that Wisdom is a tree of life for those who embrace Her. For the past 75 years, Mary Eileen has faithfully embraced the call of Divine Wisdom, and we are witnesses to the ways God has bestowed life through her." (Click HERE to read more.)

After the Mass, Chef Kirsten served a special dinner of chicken marsala, loaded potatoes, string beans, cucumber salad, and cake. Once again, thanks to the talent of staff member Sue Pinto-Meyer, who provides her exceptional touch to all the Sister's celebrations, the dining room was beautifully decorated. Beyond sharing the extraordinary milestone of 75 years in the presence of Sisters and staff, Sr. Mary Eileen was especially thrilled to have her nephew, Stephen J. McCarthy as a special guest.

Thanks to Donna Hartmann and Sr. Catherine Sheehan, DW for providing the photos and all who made Sr. Mary Eileen's celebration extra special.